So I've posted about this a while in the past and found no good answers, so I'll try again with some new developments.

BACKSTORY 2003 Cooper S, bought from a used car dealer about 6 months ago. The power locks work very intermittently, and I haven't been able to figure out under what conditions they do and don't work. It just seems random. The keyless remote will not lock the car, but will unlock it and roll the windows down. I have to manually lock both doors.

Now, the new stuff I've found.
1. When I press the remote unlock button, it flashes the passenger side front and rear parking lights. A very quick, almost like a strobe light flash and it will do it every time I press the unlock button.

2. The lock/unlock switch in the center console will also only unlock the car, it will not lock it.

3. I don't know if this is related, but it seems possible with condition #1. If the car is completely off, key out and everything, the turn signal stalk will turn on the front and rear parking lamps for which direction it is pushed. Push it for left turn signal, left parking lights turn on. and vise versa for the right. Turn signals operate as normal with the key on.

Can anyone point me towards even somewhere to start? I don't have much experience in the electrical systems on these cars so I'm not sure where to start. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

Your key may be failing. If it works intermittently when near the car (not being a range issue) then you may want to consider new/replacement options (there are other threads on NAM)

1. Both sides of front and back should flash at the same time. One flash for "locked", Two flashes "Un-locked". Check to make sure the driver side lights are all functioning. If they function, and are not being used - that will point to this being a problem.

2. This is normal operation when the car is off. Try to lock the car with the console switch while the car is on - to see if the switch works. If it does not toggle the lock/unlock when the car is on - it again points to a bigger problem.

3. You may be seeing what's called "light my way" or something like that. It's a convenience lighting found on some cars (like my Volvo) for when you're leaving your car at night. I don't know if MINI's have it.

At the end of all this, I'm getting the feeling you may have some water damage to the fuse box that is found by the driver side footwell (inside) from a leaky sunroof drain. It's not uncommon, and can cause a lot of electrical gremlins

 

Have you tried a new battery in the key fob?

All of the "new stuff" you found is normal. #3 is called "standing lamps" and you can find it in the Owners Manual. If you park at the side of a dark unlit road, you can leave on parking lights on one side for safety. It's a European feature, uncommon in American cars.

 

The parking light flash indicates that the receiver has received the lock signal. If you get this every time it indicates that the key and locking system are functioning- up to a point. And the flash is indeed quick. Try this: unlock the car and open both doors and the hatch. Now close everything and hit the lock button. If you got the flash and the hatch is locked you have a functioning system, up to the door actuators (a known weak spot on the early MINIs).


This should function the same way the key does. Try locking with the center toggle and seeing if the hatch is locked. You can lock the car with the center toggle when the drivers side door is closed and the passenger side is open- be careful- have your keys in your hand!

#3 is normal. It's common practice in Europe to leave that side light on if you are parked on a narrow street (they have lots of them over there).

It sounds like both of your door actuators are bad. I wouldn't try to fix them or get used ones- shop around for a good price on new OEM ones. The new ones are of a slightly different design and appear to be more sturdy than the ones that came with the car. They are only about $120 each. I know that's actually quite a lot but if you continue to lock with the key eventually the lock mechanism will break (IMHO they are not meant to be used everyday) and then you will have even more things to fix.

All this assumes that your key is still in good shape- no holes where there used to be rubber buttons, no loose switches on the board, etc.

Val

I see now you are in Atlanta. Head down to Way Motor Works and get some door actuators. They have them at a good price- it's where I got mine.